Waltham Forest Archives
@lbwfarchives.bsky.social
Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library, Chingford Assembly Hall, Station Road, London E4 7EN. Collections documenting history of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Research visits by prior appointment. Email [email protected]
Edward, Prince of Wales sports a bowler hat to open Leyton County High School for Boys at its new site at Essex Road, Leyton on 28 Nov 1929. Here he is welcomed at the Town Hall by the mayor, Alderman Sydney Cochrane, bicorn hat in hand. A top hat is seen on a dignitary on left. #InternationalHatDay
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Edward, Prince of Wales sports a bowler hat to open Leyton County High School for Boys at its new site at Essex Road, Leyton on 28 Nov 1929. Here he is welcomed at the Town Hall by the mayor, Alderman Sydney Cochrane, bicorn hat in hand. A top hat is seen on a dignitary on left. #InternationalHatDay
How do you wear yours? Illustration by K Roberts, from 'Iris', Walthamstow School for Girls magazine, Dec 1936. #InternationalHatDay
November 25, 2025 at 7:47 AM
How do you wear yours? Illustration by K Roberts, from 'Iris', Walthamstow School for Girls magazine, Dec 1936. #InternationalHatDay
Sam Woods died 110 years ago #OTD 23 Nov 1915. A politician, trade unionist & former miner, he worked in coal mines from age 7. In 1897 he won the Walthamstow by-election, becoming Walthamstow's first Liberal-Labour MP until defeat in the 1900 general election. 📷 Electoral campaign leaflet 1900.
November 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Sam Woods died 110 years ago #OTD 23 Nov 1915. A politician, trade unionist & former miner, he worked in coal mines from age 7. In 1897 he won the Walthamstow by-election, becoming Walthamstow's first Liberal-Labour MP until defeat in the 1900 general election. 📷 Electoral campaign leaflet 1900.
War, Haydn Reynolds Mackey, Vestry House Museum. Mackey taught at Walthamstow Art School. © the artist's estate. 🖼️ Vestry House Museum. artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on emotion for Subversive Forms: Revolutionary Approaches to Clay at Chippenham Museum.
November 20, 2025 at 9:42 AM
War, Haydn Reynolds Mackey, Vestry House Museum. Mackey taught at Walthamstow Art School. © the artist's estate. 🖼️ Vestry House Museum. artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on emotion for Subversive Forms: Revolutionary Approaches to Clay at Chippenham Museum.
'Learned printer' William Bowyer the younger died #OTD 18 Nov 1777. Owner of Bowyer press from 1737. Printer to @antiquaries.bsky.social from 1736. Printer of House of Lords rolls & House of Commons journals from 1767. He lived at Etloe House, Leyton, & was buried at Leyton St Mary's. 🖼️ is.gd/tBP7NQ
November 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
'Learned printer' William Bowyer the younger died #OTD 18 Nov 1777. Owner of Bowyer press from 1737. Printer to @antiquaries.bsky.social from 1736. Printer of House of Lords rolls & House of Commons journals from 1767. He lived at Etloe House, Leyton, & was buried at Leyton St Mary's. 🖼️ is.gd/tBP7NQ
Willy Mansel c1853 by Mary Dillwyn (1816-1906). Born in Wales, photographer Mary was granddaughter of abolitionist William Dillwyn of Higham Lodge Walthamstow. For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on photographic portraiture. 📷 National Library of Wales via Creative Commons is.gd/nutZQL
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Willy Mansel c1853 by Mary Dillwyn (1816-1906). Born in Wales, photographer Mary was granddaughter of abolitionist William Dillwyn of Higham Lodge Walthamstow. For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on photographic portraiture. 📷 National Library of Wales via Creative Commons is.gd/nutZQL
Remembering Christopher Gable (1940-1998), dancer, actor, choreographer & long-term Leytonstone resident. Original creator of Romeo in MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet when a Royal Ballet principal 1961-67. Central School of Ballet co-founder 1982; Northern Ballet artistic director 1987-98 #WorldBalletDay
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Remembering Christopher Gable (1940-1998), dancer, actor, choreographer & long-term Leytonstone resident. Original creator of Romeo in MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet when a Royal Ballet principal 1961-67. Central School of Ballet co-founder 1982; Northern Ballet artistic director 1987-98 #WorldBalletDay
Waltham Forest war memorials, all Grade II listed in 2014. Walthamstow war memorial in former location at Lloyd Park; erected 1922 & moved to Town Hall 1961. Chingford war memorial at Kings Head Hill & The Ridgeway, erected 1921. Leytonstone war memorial at Harrow Green, erected 1925. #ArmisticeDay
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Waltham Forest war memorials, all Grade II listed in 2014. Walthamstow war memorial in former location at Lloyd Park; erected 1922 & moved to Town Hall 1961. Chingford war memorial at Kings Head Hill & The Ridgeway, erected 1921. Leytonstone war memorial at Harrow Green, erected 1925. #ArmisticeDay
Coronation Gardens memorial to all those people of Leyton who suffered during the World War 1939-1945. This was unveiled in Oct 1945, prior to local peace celebrations in Coronation Gardens in 1946. Photo 1963, ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #ImageoftheMonth #VE80
November 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Coronation Gardens memorial to all those people of Leyton who suffered during the World War 1939-1945. This was unveiled in Oct 1945, prior to local peace celebrations in Coronation Gardens in 1946. Photo 1963, ©Vestry House Museum, from collection available in our Searchroom. #ImageoftheMonth #VE80
Margaret Rawlings, co-founder of Equity whose many stage performances spanned 1927-1979. Bust by Frank Dobson who went to Harrow Green School & Leyton Technical School. 📷 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist's estate artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's drama #OnlineArtExchange 🎭
November 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Margaret Rawlings, co-founder of Equity whose many stage performances spanned 1927-1979. Bust by Frank Dobson who went to Harrow Green School & Leyton Technical School. 📷 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist's estate artuk.org/discover/art... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's drama #OnlineArtExchange 🎭
Remembering Arthur, Baron Bottomley who died #OTD 3 Nov 1995. MP for Chatham from 1945 & for Middlesbrough East from 1962, he grew up in Walthamstow, attending Gamuel Rd & Pretoria Ave Schools. He was a Walthamstow councillor for 20 years & Mayor 1945/46. During WWII he was London's ARP controller.
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Remembering Arthur, Baron Bottomley who died #OTD 3 Nov 1995. MP for Chatham from 1945 & for Middlesbrough East from 1962, he grew up in Walthamstow, attending Gamuel Rd & Pretoria Ave Schools. He was a Walthamstow councillor for 20 years & Mayor 1945/46. During WWII he was London's ARP controller.
Chingford All Saints, nave c.12th cent, south aisle late 13th cent, chancel 15th cent; restored 1930. Highams Park All Saints built 1898. Leyton All Saints built 1864; replaced by new church built 1973. 📷 1-3 VHM collection; 4 Creative Commons commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Al... #AllSaintsDay
November 1, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Chingford All Saints, nave c.12th cent, south aisle late 13th cent, chancel 15th cent; restored 1930. Highams Park All Saints built 1898. Leyton All Saints built 1864; replaced by new church built 1973. 📷 1-3 VHM collection; 4 Creative Commons commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Al... #AllSaintsDay
Illustration of stage set up for Pepper's Ghost, 1865. This famous stage illusion was developed by inventor John Henry Pepper who lived in Colworth Road, Leytonstone in 1890s. 🖼️
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pe... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on spooky art for Halloween! 👻
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pe... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on spooky art for Halloween! 👻
October 30, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Illustration of stage set up for Pepper's Ghost, 1865. This famous stage illusion was developed by inventor John Henry Pepper who lived in Colworth Road, Leytonstone in 1890s. 🖼️
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pe... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on spooky art for Halloween! 👻
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pe... For @artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange on spooky art for Halloween! 👻
Remembering Tetley, late of Walthamstow village! Images from our collections for #NationalCatDay.
October 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Remembering Tetley, late of Walthamstow village! Images from our collections for #NationalCatDay.
Part of our display on Waltham Forest heritage plaques to celebrate #BHM25. On the front doors at Chingford Assembly Hall for just a few more days!
October 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Part of our display on Waltham Forest heritage plaques to celebrate #BHM25. On the front doors at Chingford Assembly Hall for just a few more days!
Reposted by Waltham Forest Archives
Starting from Sunday 16th November my tours of #WalthamForest Town Hall #walthamstow will take place on third Sundays at 12pm and 2. Now booking to April 2026. Join me to discover the fascinating history of this fabulous building www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-fo...
October 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Starting from Sunday 16th November my tours of #WalthamForest Town Hall #walthamstow will take place on third Sundays at 12pm and 2. Now booking to April 2026. Join me to discover the fascinating history of this fabulous building www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-fo...
Jessica Huntley (1927-2013) & Eric Huntley (b.1929), born in Guyana (then British Guiana); married in 1950. Lifelong activists for social & racial justice, they settled in London in late 1950s, founding Bogle-L'Ouverture publications 1968. In 1964 they lived at 21 Haroldstone Rd, Walthamstow. #BHM25
October 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Jessica Huntley (1927-2013) & Eric Huntley (b.1929), born in Guyana (then British Guiana); married in 1950. Lifelong activists for social & racial justice, they settled in London in late 1950s, founding Bogle-L'Ouverture publications 1968. In 1964 they lived at 21 Haroldstone Rd, Walthamstow. #BHM25
Our current Searchroom display celebrates Sir Derek Jacobi! Born in Leytonstone in Oct 1938, Jacobi lived in Essex Road (now Essex Rd South) & attended Leyton County High School for Boys. At 18 he received great acclaim for his performance as Hamlet in the LCHS production at the Edinburgh Festival.
October 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Our current Searchroom display celebrates Sir Derek Jacobi! Born in Leytonstone in Oct 1938, Jacobi lived in Essex Road (now Essex Rd South) & attended Leyton County High School for Boys. At 18 he received great acclaim for his performance as Hamlet in the LCHS production at the Edinburgh Festival.
Dr George Alfred Busby (1899-1980), surgeon, born in Barbados. A Walthamstow GP from 1926-29, he was well known for helping local people to receive healthcare in pre-NHS times. A Nubian Jak Community Trust heritage plaque commemorates him at his former home, 66 Erskine Road, Walthamstow. #BHM25
October 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Dr George Alfred Busby (1899-1980), surgeon, born in Barbados. A Walthamstow GP from 1926-29, he was well known for helping local people to receive healthcare in pre-NHS times. A Nubian Jak Community Trust heritage plaque commemorates him at his former home, 66 Erskine Road, Walthamstow. #BHM25
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford in mid 20th century, showing decorative features from the late 19th century restoration. Built as the Great Standing in 1540s, it is now Grade II* listed, & described by English Heritage as an 'early and rare example of this building type'. #ImageoftheMonth
October 20, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford in mid 20th century, showing decorative features from the late 19th century restoration. Built as the Great Standing in 1540s, it is now Grade II* listed, & described by English Heritage as an 'early and rare example of this building type'. #ImageoftheMonth
Jack Johnson (1878-1946), boxer & first African American heavyweight world champion 1908. He stayed at Chingford's Royal Forest Hotel in 1911 when training in Epping Forest for prospective match with Billy Wells. Blog by @thelondonarchives.bsky.social www.thelondonarchives.org/blog/the-fig... #BHM25
October 19, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Jack Johnson (1878-1946), boxer & first African American heavyweight world champion 1908. He stayed at Chingford's Royal Forest Hotel in 1911 when training in Epping Forest for prospective match with Billy Wells. Blog by @thelondonarchives.bsky.social www.thelondonarchives.org/blog/the-fig... #BHM25
Salisbury Hall manor house, Walthamstow was situated south of the river Ching. Built in late 16th century to replace a medieval structure, it survived as a farmhouse until demolition in 1952. The medieval foundations were uncovered during the 1952 excavation. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum. #ArchaeologyDay
October 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Salisbury Hall manor house, Walthamstow was situated south of the river Ching. Built in late 16th century to replace a medieval structure, it survived as a farmhouse until demolition in 1952. The medieval foundations were uncovered during the 1952 excavation. 📷 ©Vestry House Museum. #ArchaeologyDay
Solomon Plaatje (1876-1932). Co-founder of South African Native National Congress 1912. Author of 'Native Life in South Africa'. A member of SANNC delegation to England in 1914, Plaatje lived at 25 Carnarvon Road, Leyton in 1914-15. 📷 Creative Commons portrait is.gd/kYmTJc plaque is.gd/1KCNw4 #BHM25
October 15, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Solomon Plaatje (1876-1932). Co-founder of South African Native National Congress 1912. Author of 'Native Life in South Africa'. A member of SANNC delegation to England in 1914, Plaatje lived at 25 Carnarvon Road, Leyton in 1914-15. 📷 Creative Commons portrait is.gd/kYmTJc plaque is.gd/1KCNw4 #BHM25
Huge thanks to Peter Ashan for sharing all his knowledge and expertise in an excellent workshop last Saturday, to celebrate Black History Month in Waltham Forest. We learnt a lot, and look forward to the next one! #BHM25
October 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Huge thanks to Peter Ashan for sharing all his knowledge and expertise in an excellent workshop last Saturday, to celebrate Black History Month in Waltham Forest. We learnt a lot, and look forward to the next one! #BHM25
@londontopsoc.bsky.social You are added to the starter pack! We saw a notification for your message, but we're unable to view or reply to DMs at present, apologies.
October 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
@londontopsoc.bsky.social You are added to the starter pack! We saw a notification for your message, but we're unable to view or reply to DMs at present, apologies.